Learn how Christmas Eve dinner is celebrated in Italy, from La Vigilia traditions and regional food to practical tips for travelers visiting on December 24.

Christmas Eve Dinner in Italy: food, family and tradition

In Italy, Christmas starts the evening before December 25, with Christmas Eve dinner, known as La Vigilia: a long, unhurried meal that brings families together around the table across the entire country, as they wait for Christmas to officially begin.

La Vigilia literally means “the vigil” and refers to Christmas Eve in Italy, a night centered on family, food and long hours spent together at the table.

On Christmas Eve, shops in Italy close earlier and people make their way home, sometimes traveling long distances, to spend the evening with family. The dinner unfolds slowly, course by course, with conversation, stories and no rush to leave the table, especially because the point is to stay awake until midnight.

You might have heard that Italians eat only fish on Christmas Eve. This is true in many parts of the country, especially along the coast, but it’s not a strict rule everywhere. The tradition comes from Catholic customs of abstaining from meat, but the menu really varies from region to region, and even from family to family.

From north to south, in many homes, the table includes seafood dishes such as spaghetti with clams, baccalà (salt cod), fried fish or shrimp, along with delicious seafood starters. In some areas, particularly inland or in the north, the menu may be simpler and it does not necessarily revolve entirely around fish.

What matters more than the exact menu is the idea of a meal that feels different from everyday cooking, and the overall family gathering.

By tradition, Christmas Eve dinner in Italy goes on for hours. After the main courses, dessert arrives, and no matter what else has been served, Panettone or Pandoro will certainly make an appearance, usually accompanied by a bottle of prosecco or spumante. For many Italians, Christmas simply wouldn’t feel complete without them.

At midnight, it’s time to open the gifts under the Christmas tree. Sometimes, when there are young children, the evening ends earlier and presents are saved for the morning of December 25. For kids, that night is often the longest one of the year, spent waiting for Santa Claus to arrive and leave gifts under the tree while they sleep.

If you’re visiting Italy on December 24, it’s important to plan ahead. Shops close earlier and many restaurants close for the evening or offer a fixed Christmas Eve menu that needs to be booked well in advance. In larger cities, some shops and restaurants stay open for travelers, but dinner reservations are essential.

If you’re planning to spend the winter holidays in Italy and would like help organizing your stay, including where to dine on Christmas Eve, feel free to contact us at info@citylightstours.com. We’ll be glad to help you plan a thoughtful itinerary.